The Vesak Festival වෙසක් උත්සවය

By Saviru Bandara, age 11, Australia

My Vesak themed artwork (see above) shows how I celebrate my culture as a Sri Lankan Buddhist (who lives in Australia) during the Vesak festival.

The Vesak Festival (වෙසක් උත්සවය) is the most important and sacred celebration for Buddhists around the world. It takes place on the full‑moon day in May and marks three significant events in the life of Lord Buddha: his birth, his enlightenment, and his passing away. In 1999, the United Nations officially recognized Vesak as an International Day, showing its importance as a symbol of peace for the whole world.

Vesak is celebrated annually by all Buddhists around the world. Despite cultural differences, the central purpose of the festival remains the same everywhere—to honour the Buddha’s teachings of compassion, peace, and wisdom.

Just a few days before Vesak, I make Vesak lanterns (called Vesak kudu, in Sinhalese, our native language from Sri Lanka) with my friends at our community language school in Australia. Normally, each child makes one Vesak lantern. Then adults take it to our Buddhist temple to hang it on Vesak morning. In the evening, our Vesak lanterns are lighted.

On the Vesak Day, we go to temple and observe sill. During Sil programme, a Buddhist monks talk to us about Buddha’s teachings. Also, they teach us how to meditate. So, our mind becomes more peaceful.

When we go to the temple in the morning to celebrate Vesak we take flowers, incense sticks, and oil or wax lamps. These items have symbolic meanings: flowers remind us of the beauty (and the impermanence) of life, incense represents purity, and lamps symbolize enlightenment. I like watering the Bodhi tree on the day (Buddha received the enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree).

On Vesak Day, grown-ups and kids can join in the Vesak Perahia or Vesak parade. Traditional dancers, drummers, and performers and devotees take part in the procession. In Sri Lanka, elephants decorated with beautiful colourful costumes also take part in the parade.

In the evening at our temple, we participate in giving free food or Dansala to people. We offer free tea, coffee or herbal drinks for the devotees visiting the temple. This opportunity teaches us collective work as well as the importance of donating.

Beyond the celebrations, the heart of Vesak lies in its message. It reminds people to be kind, peaceful, and mindful in their daily lives. The festival encourages everyone, regardless of their religion or background, to practice good deeds and bring happiness to others.

Vesak is a festival that combines joy, reflection, and compassion. It celebrates the life and teachings of the Buddha while inspiring people to become more thoughtful and caring. Vesak continues to spread a message of harmony and kindness that is meaningful for people everywhere. Also, Vesak helps me to preserve my Sri Lankan culture in my new home as an immigrant in Australia.

If you visit Sri Lanka, during the month of May, you can see and enjoy all of the Vesak celebrations and traditions. The festival is being celebrated this year in Sri Lanka (as in many other countries of the world) on May 30th. Because many Asian cultures still follow lunar calendar, in some communities, it might also be celebrated on May 1st.

By Saviru Bandara, age 11 Australia.